| We stayed at Bushkill in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a week in a timeshare with friends. The
timeshare was tired and the area wasn't much better. We had planned to hire
a car and that didn't work out. But it didn't stop us sampling some of the
sights of the area. There are several waterfalls besides Bushkill Falls.
This is a little further north at Dingmans Ferry and is called Silver Thread
Falls, the first of two here. |  |
 |
This is the second waterfall, a much grander affair. The walkways are excellent, as
we have come to expect from areas run by the National Parks Service. The
walkway is flat and suitable for wheelchair access. We didn't need it but
we were grateful for the level surface for one of our party with knee
troubles. |
| We sat and watched the falls for a while and the small
fish in the pool below while Jan climbed the path to the top (she's the fit
one!). |  |
 | Jan climbed up a side path at Dingmans
Falls to catch
this shot from the path to the top of the falls. |
| There are maps of the NRA (National Recreation Area) at several points along the
way. Most exhorted you to take care in boats on the Delaware. This is great
safe kayaking and canoeing water for youngsters. |  |
 |
We drove the route of the trolley bus from Water Gap village. It is
supposed to be very scenic but we missed the plot somewhere along the way.
Most of the scenic stops seem to be rather overgrown with scrub. Perhaps
at the right time of year.... The anticline is a reminder of the
geological forces which created this river valley eons ago. |
| The Delaware River is quiet and peaceful here although it
carries a lot of water. It is one of the few rivers in America which has not
been dammed for hydroelectric power or other uses anywhere along its length. |  |
 |
The banks can erode in the winter and there are warnings but it showed few
signs where we were. I guess the local authority just worries about
potential litigation after possible accidents. |
| We just sat and savoured the stillness in the late
afternoon sun. The trees are just beginning to turn. Our friends will return
to Europe and miss most of the fall colour but we will remain a while to
enjoy it. |  |
 |
We did find another set of falls almost at Milford. These are Raymondskill
Falls. These appear to be rather less visited from the state of the paths. |
| But the top of the falls are well fenced, possibly
because there has been some other work done felling hemlocks damaged by an
alien beetle which is slowly eating its way through most of the eastern
hemlocks. I sneaked a view over the top, taking care not to fall off. |  |
 |
We found a very tricky path down to the bottom. It is supposed to be there
but it is well overgrown. The falls look more spectacular from the bottom.
Allan at the top looks minute. |
|
This is the lake in the centre of the complex. There are fountains to
aerate the water but they have not prevented the growth of algae and pondweed.
With a bit of cleaning up this could have been an excellent resort. |  |
 | Travelling out towards Nelson and the wolf preserve we
spotted this house with twin round towers. Jan has always had a soft spot
for round towers and would dearly love a sewing room in one. |
|
We sat and ate ice cream (and drank beer) at a crossroads in Milford at the
north end of the area. Here we watched an endless stream of school buses
carrying the kids home and then returning to base. The school bus is
quintessentially American! |  |
 |
The car in front of us stopped and when we went to investigate we found this
snapping turtle in the middle of the road. Their necks can be as long as
their bodies and their bite can snap a broomstick in half. Don't mess with
these dudes! |
| After our friends left us we camped at the Promised
Land State Park which was excellent if a bit isolated. The fall colours are
just coming into full splendour here. October 15th is rated the peak. |  |
 |
The roads are almost hemmed in by the trees and as the sun catches them some
of the tree colours are really gorgeous. |
|